Cost of Attending March Madness: Average Ticket Prices For Each Round

The NCAA Tournament is considered by many to be the greatest sporting event of the year. While some would argue the Super Bowl is at the top of the list, it’s just one game. And, the ticket prices reflect that scarcity.

March Madness spans 67 games over three weeks. If you haven’t had a chance to attend a tournament game, I recommend adding it to your bucket list. Watching the action unfold on the TV is great, but it fails in comparison to seeing it play out live.

A lot of people think attending a session will cost an arm and a leg, but that’s not the case. If you are thinking about going to a game this year or just want to see how much it would cost. I’ve looked up the minimum and maximum prices at each location.

Ticket Prices for Each Round Of NCAA Tournament During March Madness

Keep in mind that ticket prices will fluctuate based on the teams that get seeded into each location. The closer the teams playing are to the host city, the more you can expect to pay.

It’s also a good idea to do some research on your own and compare prices at different ticket brokers. You can also gamble and try to scalp tickets the day of the game.

First Four

People are still adjusting to the First Four and it’s importance. Many bracket contests don’t even require that you pick these games.

That doesn’t mean these games aren’t worth attending if you live around the Dayton area.

I’ll admit there’s not a lot to get excited about watching two No. 16 seeds battle it out. However, there’s typically some entertaining games between a couple No. 11 or No. 12 seeds.

The First Four takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday. You can purchase tickets for all 4 games (all sessions), or by individual sessions.

Location

Ticket Type

Min Price

Max Price

Dayton

All Sessions

$150

$472

Dayton

Session 1

$30

$132

Dayton

Session 2

$30

$158

First & Second Rounds

Each year there are eight different locations that host the first two rounds of the Big Dance.

There are six games held at each location. Four of those games come in the first round and then two more in round two.

You have four different options for purchasing tickets at each location.

The four first round games are split up into two-game packs. The first two are included in session one and the next two in session two. Those that want the two games either on Saturday or Sunday, need to purchase session three.

If your team isn’t in the top 6, history says they likely won’t make the following weekend. This might be your only chance to see them in March Madness.

Location

Ticket Type

Min Price

Max Price

Buffalo

Session 1

$130

$265

Buffalo

Session 2

$121

$265

Buffalo

Session 3

$189

$495

Milwaukee

Session 1

$45

$45

Milwaukee

Session 2

$225

$405

Milwaukee

Session 3

$135

$630

Orlando

Session 1

$45

$167

Orlando

Session 2

$117

$405

Orlando

Session 3

$90

$540

Salt Lake City

Session 1

$122

$122

Salt Lake City

Session 2

$81

$144

Salt Lake City

Session 3

$167

$585

Greenville

Session 1

$149

$225

Greenville

Session 2

$292

$292

Greenville

Session 3

$248

$585

Indianapolis

Session 1

$151

$282

Indianapolis

Session 2

$215

$286

Indianapolis

Session 3

$238

$710

Tulsa

Session 1

$45

$250

Tulsa

Session 2

$89

$248

Tulsa

Session 3

$104

$293

Sacramento

Session 1

$60

$270

Sacramento

Session 2

$77

$450

Sacramento

Session 3

$113

$585

Regionals (Sweet 16 & Elite 8)

As you would expect, the deeper we get into the tournament, the more expensive the tickets are going to be.

I love the opening round action and all the upsets that come with it, but brackets are made in week two.

There are four regional locations, one for each region. Each location gets to host three games. The two Sweet 16 matchups and the Elite 8 contest.

Session one includes both of the Sweet 16 games, while session two is just for the Elite 8. If you want to go to all three games, you are going to want the all sessions pass.

Location

Region

Ticket Type

Min Price

Max Price

New York City

East

All Sessions

$700

$3,465

New York City

East

Semifinals

$275

$2,070

New York City

East

Finals

$305

$1,845

San Jose

West

All Sessions

$280

$2,325

San Jose

West

Semifinals

$135

$650

San Jose

West

Finals

$145

$700

Memphis

South

All Sessions

$275

$2,500

Memphis

South

Semifinals

$225

$835

Memphis

South

Finals

$100

$925

Kansas City

Midwest

All Sessions

$350

$1,850

Kansas City

Midwest

Semifinals

$229

$925

Kansas City

Midwest

Finals

$245

$1,015

Final 4 & Championship Game

If you have the cash to spare and want to go all out, it doesn’t get any better than the Final Four and Championship Game.

This year’s Final Four will be held at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

If you are even considering about going, I recommend buying your tickets early. If it ends up being teams you aren’t interested in, you should have no problem selling your tickets.